Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – A Swan Song That Just Won’t Quit
Like a Dragon Gaiden The Man Who Erased His Name Review Kiryu's Last Roar of Glory
Like a Dragon Gaiden The Man Who Erased His Name’ review Another swansong for Kiryu.
It seems like Ryu ga Gotoku Studio just can’t seem to let go of our beloved yakuza, Kiryu. First, we had Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, which was meant to be his farewell. But then, Like a Dragon came along, and now we have Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – a spin-off that brings back the legendary yakuza for another round of street brawls in Japan. It’s a return to form for those who’ve missed those bare-knuckle beatdowns, but it also cheapens the previous send-offs by dragging Kiryu back into the spotlight. Talk about keeping a man from enjoying his retirement!
Fast Facts – Like a Dragon Gaiden
- Release date: November 8
- Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Xbox One, PS4
- Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher: Sega
Here’s the deal: Kiryu has two different fighting styles in Like a Dragon Gaiden – Agent and Yakuza. With Agent style, he becomes this agile, gadget-wielding badass, tossing enemies around like he’s a secret agent from a campy spy film. Picture him with a vibrant teal whip, kicking butt and taking names. It’s over-the-top, disorienting at times, but undeniably fun. On the other hand, Yakuza style is Kiryu’s tried-and-true bread and butter, the classic punches and kicks we’ve all come to love. It’s like unlocking a new arsenal of moves that make you want to holler in excitement! Plus, the music for this style is so good it’ll transport you straight back to the glorious moments of Yakuza Kiwami 2 and Yakuza 6.
A Kick of Nostalgia
But Like a Dragon Gaiden doesn’t stop at nostalgia – it dives headfirst into the pool of the past. We’re talking callbacks to the pivotal moments in the Like a Dragon series, where Kiryu relives his toughest fights in the Colosseum, a fighting pit nestled in a tanker. These fights eventually turn into mini-games, allowing you to take on swarms of enemies with or without a crew. It’s straightforward, not the most engaging, but it does hammer home just how much time has passed in Kiryu’s tumultuous life. It’s like watching sepia-toned flashbacks of Kiryu’s past while fighting Ryuji Goda and Akira Nishikiyama imposters. You can’t escape your past, can you, Kiryu?
Like a Dragon Gaiden also delves into the people and moments that left an indelible mark on Kiryu’s life through various substories. You’ll pick up these stories from Akame, an information broker in Osaka, who’ll reward you with better equipment and assistance if you lend a helping hand to the homeless residents of Sotenbori. There’s even a substory involving Ryuji Goda, the main antagonist of Yakuza 2, that had me running around the city like a madman. It’s moments like these that hit long-time players right in the feels, but I couldn’t help wonder why they existed outside of tugging on our nostalgic heartstrings. It’s time to let Kiryu move on, folks!
Farewell Kiryu
Now, Like a Dragon Gaiden offers more than just a trip down memory lane. You can indulge in darts, golf, arcade games, and even build your custom pocket racing car like in Yakuza 0. And don’t forget the hostess club, a series staple that’s been revamped. Instead of 3D models, we now get full-motion videos where we respond with just a few words. It’s less significant and more voyeuristic, as if these girls are just there for our amusement. Talk about a weird switch! But hey, if you’re into virtual tourism and wasting time, this game has got you covered!
- Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – A Bite-Si...
- The Invincible: A Space Odyssey
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – A Rollercoaster Ride with a ...
However, Like a Dragon Gaiden falls prey to its own side content. It interrupts the game’s pace and stretches it out unnecessarily. You’ll spend hours raising your affinity with Akame and participating in Colosseum fights while the main story takes a back seat. It feels like filler material, prolonging what should have been a concise, focused experience. As captivating as it is to explore Kiryu’s troubled life of crime, the narrative doesn’t quite match up to previous entries. It’s the emotional moments with Kiryu’s relationship with Haruka and the children from the Morning Glory orphanage that truly shine. The rest feels like background noise, an attempt to keep us invested in Kiryu’s story when it’s time to move on.
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name feels like yet another swan song for Kiryu, and frankly, I’m tired of hearing it. He’s undoubtedly one of the best characters in the franchise (after all, he’s been the star of seven mainline games and two spin-offs). But it’s time for Ryu ga Gotoku Studio to let go and let the new protagonist, Kasuga Ichiban, take center stage. If they’re not confident enough to do that, we might end up going through this same song and dance until the end of the Like a Dragon series itself. Let’s give Kiryu the retirement he deserves and embrace the future of the franchise!
Disclaimer: This review of Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is based on the PC version provided by the publisher.
